Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2021) 136: 852
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-01782-5

Regular Article

Micromechanics simulation of electrical conductivity for carbon-nanotube-filled polymer system by adjusting Ouali model

¹ Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Interdisciplinary Technologies, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
² Department of Mechanical Engineering (BK21 Four), College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1 Seocheon, Giheung, 449-701, Yongin, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea

^b rheeky@khu.ac.kr

Received: 7 April 2021
Accepted: 21 July 2021
Published online: 17 August 2021

Abstract

We progress a new model for conductivity of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based polymer systems (PCNT) by adapting Ouali model for composite’s modulus with respect to CNT dimension, CNT conductivity, CNT concentration, volume portion of attached CNT, interphase depth and tunnel’s characteristics. The volume portion of conductive net comprising CNT and interphase is correlated to efficient filler loading and percolation beginning. Furthermore, the tunneling resistivity owing to polymer sheet and the tunneling distance is included into the established model. The practical results of numerous specimens are compared to the calculations of the advanced model. Good matching between tentative data and model’s predictions along with the sensible impacts of whole factors on the nanocomposite’s conductivity proves the rationality of the established model. High CNT content and abundant interphase can improve the conductivity of PCNT up to 6 S/m (this is the biggest value among calculations), whereas too small values of CNT concentration and interphase thickness cannot increase the conductivity of polymer host.